No matter how tough life gets, if you put your all into your work, good things will come to you. Staying positive, refusing to procrastinate and maintaining your focus are all necessary ingredients to building a strong and rewarding work ethic.

Other strategies to becoming a great worker are setting a goal of dependability, always meeting deadlines and stepping up to fill unmet needs.

Let’s look closer at each of these methods to construct a sturdy work ethic:

1. Stay positive.You’ve probably heard the expression, “Attitude is everything.” That’s definitely true when you’re working on creating a resilient work ethic. Your work improves when you approach it with a positive attitude.

No matter what, staying positive about your tasks will help you become a rock star at work. You’ll not only stand out to your supervisor, but your colleagues will notice, too.

2. Refuse to procrastinate. Although you may be tempted to put off doing certain tasks or projects, make “Do it right now” your mantra. You’ll find that often jobs are quickly and easily done in less time than you would have spent obsessing about the task.

3. Keep your focus. When your plans are clear, you’ll get more work done in less time. Put a sticky note on your calendar and computer. Organize your desk the day before you plan to start that huge project. Start focused and stay focused. You’ll work like a machine when you devote your attention on the subject at hand.

4. Set a goal of dependability. When you go the extra mile to complete your work, people will learn to trust that when you’re given a job, you’ll do it.

Endeavor to be known as the one whom your boss and co-workers can always depend on to get the job done.

5. Always meet deadlines. This point is crucial to developing a strong work ethic. Do whatever you have to do to meet a deadline. Of course, the best way to ensure you consistently meet deadlines is to negotiate in advance of taking on the task, so you have a bit of a say in the schedule.

In the event your supervisor assigns you a project that must be done by a certain date in the near future, clarify right away with your boss what he sees as your priorities. This way, you’ve gained permission to alter the due dates on some of your other tasks to take on the urgent project.

If you communicate right away any concerns you have about deadlines, you’re in a position to negotiate some of them. The bottom line is you’ll ultimately be meeting deadlines approved by your supervisor.

6. Step up to fill unmet needs.Volunteering to take on gaps in labor will make every supervisor you work for the happiest person in the world.

We’ve all been on a committee where jobs were being assigned, the moderator got to a certain task and everyone shrank up or whispered, “Oh, I’m not taking that job!” A person with a strong work ethic views these situations as opportunities to stretch himself and show what he can do.

You might even discover a special talent you possess when you volunteer to take on a job. Consider it another line on your resume when you agree to write the department manual or perform some other task. Learn to step forward to fill unmet needs.

When you follow these suggestions, you’ll develop great confidence in your work. Plus, you’ll discover that you built something durable for your future: a strong work ethic that will bring you pride, joy and wealth for years to come.